Poland temporarily shut two airports near the Ukrainian border—Rzeszow and Lublin—overnight Saturday, December 27, amid a massive Russian attack on Ukraine.
The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency said the move was made “to ensure freedom of operation for military aviation.”
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces said that due to “the activity of long-range Russian air forces striking Ukrainian territory,” Polish military aircraft, supported by NATO allies, were operating in the country’s airspace. It said the measures were preventive and that no violations of Poland’s border were detected.
Poland routinely scrambles fighter jets when Russia strikes Ukrainian regions near the Polish border. But Polish airports typically do not halt arrivals and departures during such barrages.
Overnight December 27, Russia launched combined strikes on Ukraine, using ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. The main targets were Kyiv and the Kyiv region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said nearly 500 drones and 40 missiles, including hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, were used in the barrage.
